Alameda County Biographies
JULIUS L. WEILBYE
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
architect and builder, residing at Sunol, is a prominent and progressive
mechanic who deserves special mention in this volume. He was born on a farm
near Alvarado, Alameda County, May 5, 1854, and at an early age learned the
carpenter and joiner�s trade in the town of Haywards. Soon he began making
building contracts for himself, and went to Livermore, where he became a foreman
for J. S. Duncan, and remained in that position until 1877. He then went to
Oakland, where he was employed in the Pioneer Planing Mills three years, when he
made architecture a special study. A year later he took charge of the Verdi
Planing Mills, of Verdi, Nevada, that place being destroyed by fire in 1881.
Here Mr. Weilbye lost his drafting instruments, library, and all his mechanical
tools. The plant was immediately rebuilt, and conducted by him until 1885, when
he went to Sunol, his present location, and where he has designed and built many
of the private residences, besides some of the public buildings in the county,
as the public school building at Livermore, a hotel at Sunol, the public school
building, many residences, churches, etc. He has for many years made
architecture a special study, thereby reaching a station at the head of his
business. In addition to his designs and building operations at his present
location, he has established and carries on a lumber yard, having a fine and
well-selected stock of lumber and building materials. In his political views he
is a Republican, and takes an active part in political matters. He is a member
of Brooklyn Lodge, No. 225, F. & A. M., at Oakland, and also a member of Oakland
Chapter, No. 36, Royal Arch Masons.
Mr. Weilbye is the son of Lars and Ida Weilbye, natives of Copenhagen. His
father was a seafaring man, and first came to America as master of a sailing
vessel, landing in 1847 at the point now known as Montgomery street, San
Francisco, which was then the water front. Thence he went to a point near
Haywards, and owned and worked on a farm until his death in 1857. Mr. Weilbye,
our subject, was married in Livermore, to Mary, the oldest daughter of A.
Overacker. His family now consists of his wife and her son.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891